IceHogs News

Jordan Hendry and the IceHogs dumped the Wolves on Saturday 7-2 at the Rockford MetroCentre. (Photo by Greg Hamil)

Rockford just two points from division’s top spot

Week 10 RecapTwo wins in three games kept Rockford in the thick of the West Division race that has six teams separated by just four points. After a 2-1 win over Iowa on Thursday, Rockford dropped a 4-2 affair in Milwaukee before blowing out the Chicago Wolves 7-2 Saturday at the MetroCentre. Saturday’s game featured Rockford’s annual Teddy Bear Toss for charity and Hogs fans tossed 1,331 stuffed animals onto the ice.

-Rockford has played three games in three days 12 times during their AHL era and has a record of 9-2-0-1

-In 13 regular season meetings against the Chicago Wolves, the IceHogs had never led by more than two goals before Saturday’s 7-2 win and had not beaten Chicago by more than one tally

-The IceHogs are 5-1-0-0 in their alternate jersey and 10-8-0-2 wearing the other two jerseys

-Corey Crawford has a season-long five-game winning streak

-After starting the season 3-3-0, he is now 8-3-0 including two shootout wins

-Defenseman James Wisniewski tied IceHogs season highs with a plus/minus rating of +4 and accumulating four points (3g-1a) on Saturday

-Wisniewski’s hat trick marked the first from an IceHogs defenseman since Barry McKinlay did it in the UHL era on 11/5/99 at Asheville, the ninth game in IceHogs history

-The team was a combined +29 with six even-strength goals on Saturday

-Rockford broke an 0-28 power-play drought on Saturday, ending the IceHogs AHL record for longest stretch without a power-play goal

-The IceHogs have won a season high five-straight home games

-Defenseman Jimmy Sharrow has a plus/minus rating of +4 in his first three games with the IceHogs

Hot Hog Week 10:Goaltender Corey Crawford won both of his starts for Rockford in Week 10 allowing just three goals in his two games. On Thursday, Crawford backstopped Rockford past the Iowa Chops 2-1, handing them their only regulation loss on a seven-game road swing. Crawford finished the week in impressive fashion making a team-season high 42 saves in Rockford’s win over the Chicago Wolves..

Upcoming Games:Friday, Dec. 19 vs. Houston Aeros. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m. Rockford faces off against the Houston Aeros for the first time since eliminating them from last spring’s Calder Cup Playoffs. The game is the front end of back-to-back games with Houston in Rockford. Rock Valley College along with WTVO TV and FOX 39 welcome Super Fan Cameron Hughes back to the MetroCentre.

Saturday, Dec. 20 vs. Houston Aeros. Another West Division showdown starts at 7:05 p..m. The back end of back-to-back contests against the Aeros in Rockford happens on Saturday. The first 2,000 fans to the game will receive an IceHogs Sno-Globe courtesy of the Rockford Park District, BOB FM and WTVO TV.

Sunday, Dec. 21 at Chicago Wolves. The rivalry resumes at 3 p.m. The IceHogs and Wolves meet up for the third time in three weeks for the third of five games at the Allstate Arena on the season. The last two games finished in blowouts and the IceHogs will be looking for their second win of the season in Rosemont.

The IceHogs Broadcasting Network:
Rockford IceHogs fans can catch all of the IceHogs regular and post-season games on the Hogs flagship radio station Rockford’s Voice, WNTA-AM 1330 and 30 regular season games on ESPN Radio 1380-AM, WTJK. Fans can also watch and listen to the Hogs on the World Wide Web with AHL Live! Visit the IceHogs Web site (icehogs.com) and click on the “click here to watch the AHL Live” icon, and for just $6, you can catch all of the IceHogs action on your computer. Also, fans with Comcast Cable television can tune in to Channel 57 for all the IceHogs hockey action this season. The broadcast begins with the Pregame Show 30 minutes before the puck drops. Make sure to give your opinion during the Comcast Post-Game Call-In Show following each game at (815) 874-8255.

Hog Talk Returns Tonight At Cousin’s Bar and Grill:
Bud Light Hog Talk returns tonight at Cousin’s Bar and Grill. Join IceHogs Team President Mark Bernard from 6-7 p.m. at Cousin’s as he chats IceHogs hockey with Hogs Head Coach Bill Peters. Tonight’s show will also feature goalie Corey Crawford and defenseman Jordan Hendry. Stop out to Cousin’s, located on the corner of East State St. and Perryville in Rockford, and take advantage of some great food and Bud Light specials. If you can’t make it out to Cousin’s, tune into 1330 AM, WNTA.

Where to Watch the IceHogs:
IceHogs fans can now catch every IceHogs regular season game live on TV! Every IceHogs home game during the 2008-09 season can be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel-57. When the IceHogs are on the road log onto the IceHogs official team Web site, www.icehogs.com, and watch the IceHogs through AHL Live for just $6. Fans can also stop out to the Sports Page, located on Broadway near Alpine Road in Rockford, and watch the IceHogs when the team is on the road.

Tickets Now On Sale!
IceHogs individual game tickets are now on sale! Call (815) 968-5222 to reserve your seats for any IceHogs regular season game during the 2008-09 season. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Rockford MetroCentre Box Office in downtown Rockford, at Hogs Headquarters inside Cherryvale Mall or on the Web at www.metrocentre.com. Tickets start at just $10